What are the rules on roundabouts?
Most French roundabouts now share the British rule of priority to people on the roundabout
Q: Drivers seem unclear on which lane to use at roundabouts. I understand the correct French rule is that the left-hand lane is for those turning completely around and left-turners and the right-hand is for right turners and straight ahead.
Most traffic goes straight ahead, which means tail backs tend to grow in right hand lanes.
A: In Britain the Highway Code does not specify in writing which lane you should be in if going straight on.
However the government’s online version includes an illustration of correct lane use which shows the same procedure as France (reversed due to roundabouts turning the opposite way).
An RAC spokesman said this was usual British etiquette unless the road markings say otherwise.
It is also worth noting that most French roundabouts now share the British rule of priority to people on the roundabout.
Where this applies you will see a triangular sign with a red border and black circling arrows on it (and usually cédez le passage signs) on the approach.
If you see neither these signs nor any other restrictions (a ‘stop’ message, traffic lights etc), the old priorité à droite rules apply.
